Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Nodoubt,Minnahadcomelongbeforethistime,hadfoundhermothergone,andhad—justwhathadshedone,justwhatCOULDshedo?Wherewasherdaughternow?Walkingthestreetsherself,nodoubt.WhatwastobecomeofMinna,prettygirlthatshewas,lost,houselessandfriendlessinthemazeofthesestreets?Mrs.Hooven,rousedfromherlethargy,couldnotrepressanexclamationofanguish.Herewasmisfortuneindeed;herewascalamity.Shebestirredherself,andrememberedtheaddressoftheboarding-house.Shemightinquireherwaybackthither.Nodoubt,bynowthepolicemanwouldbegonehomeforthenight.Shelookedabout.Shewasinthedistrictofmodestresidences,andayoungmanwascomingtowardher,carryinganewgardenhoseloopedaroundhisshoulder.

           “Say,Meest’r;say,blease——”

           Theyoungmangaveheraquicklookandpassedon,hitchingthecoilofhoseoverhisshoulder.Butafewpacesdistant,heslackenedinhiswalkandfumbledinhisvestpocketwithhisfingers.ThenhecamebacktoMrs.Hoovenandputaquarterintoherhand.

           Mrs.Hoovenstaredatthecoinstupefied.Theyoungmandisappeared.Hethought,then,thatshewasbegging.Ithadcometothat;she,independentallherlife,whosehusbandhadheldfivehundredacresofwheatland,hadbeentakenforabeggar.Aflushofshameshottoherface.Shewasabouttothrowthemoneyafteritsgiver.Butatthemoment,Hildaagainexclaimed:

           “Mammy,I’mhungry.”

           Withamovementofinfinitelassitudeandresignedacceptanceofthesituation,Mrs.Hoovenputthecoininherpocket.Shehadnorighttobeproudanylonger.